31st October 2017
I feel as though I ought to scream ‘Welcome back!’ and throw confetti into the air to celebrate my return to this blog after a four-year break. To own the truth, the break was not intentional; my life changed rapidly and I had far too much on my plate to continue with blogging. It was no longer a priority because…
10th May 2013
I honestly didn’t plan on having a dinner party a couple of days ago. Mid-week dinner parties are never the best idea, I think, and it ends up becoming a stressful affair. However, I had the perfect excuse; two friends were going to be in town that night, and I couldn’t resist taking advantage of the opportunity to host them…
29th March 2013
I know I told you this before, and I’m sure you’ll get sick of hearing about it over the next few months, but – summer’s here. However, I can’t say I’m pleased about the arrival of summer. Summer in Chennai is a long drawn out tortuous affair during which time everything gets progressively hotter and hotter, and you whimper in…
25th March 2013
“I’m going down to get more jam”, said my boyfriend’s voice, suddenly, breaking into my thoughts. As some of you may know, I’ve been working rather hard recently writing my book, and it’s hard to switch gears when someone talks to you suddenly; your mind is far away in the world you created. “Mm”, I said. Then I realised…
24th October 2012
There are some days when you just need a series of comforting things. Today is one such day for me. I woke up this morning in a strangely convoluted position (well, you try sharing your bed with two cats), arranged myself properly, and then went back to sleep huddled up in my quilt while listening to the sound of the…
21st October 2012
There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea. — Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady Anna, Duchess of Bedford, was the wife of the seventh Duke of Bedford, and is widely credited with the very civilised custom of taking afternoon tea. During Anna’s time (1788-1861) it was customary for…
17th October 2012
When my godson Benjamin was younger (he’s ten now) there was nothing he liked better than spending time with the coolest godmother in the world – aka me. He once spent an entire month with me when he was four; his parents were travelling in Europe at the time. We used to have the most awesome time together; we’d play,…
15th October 2012
I’ve been talking about this for weeks, but I’ve finally completely revamped Sybaritic Pleasures! Personally, I’m loving the blog’s new look and feel, but I’d love to hear what you think. Do you love it as much as I do? I hope so! I took one look at the blog the other day (as it was all coming together) and…
16th September 2012
I like them warm, and stacked, and soaked in syrup. I sometimes like to top them with flavoured yoghurt or eat them with butter; I even sometimes like to eat them with ice cream or topped with plain jam. Oh, and they marry beautifully with fruit. My favourite? Red luscious strawberries nestling on top of the pikelets. Just make sure…
5th September 2012
You may have just done a double take. Beetroot PUDDING, I hear you ask, with horror in your voice? Yes, indeedy. You see, beetroots have a higher sugar content in them than most vegetables. They’re already partial to dessert; they take to extra sugar and ghee and milk like I take to wine. (Really.) Somebody recently told me that beetroots…